2-3. and he sent someone to bring in the wise woman who lived in Tekoa. Joab told her, “Put on funeral clothes and don't use any make up. Go to the king and pretend you have spent a long time mourning the death of a loved one.” Then he told her what to say.
18. Then David said to the woman, “Now I'm going to ask you a question, and don't try to hide the truth!”The woman replied, “Please go ahead, Your Majesty.”
19. David asked, “Did Joab put you up to this?”The woman answered, “Your Majesty, I swear by your life that no one can hide the truth from you. Yes, Joab did tell me what to say,
20. but only to show you the other side of this problem. You must be as wise as the angel of God to know everything that goes on in this country.”
21. David turned to Joab and said, “It seems that I have already given my decision. Go and bring Absalom back.”
22. Joab bowed very low and said, “Your Majesty, I thank you for giving your permission. It shows that you approve of me.”
23. Joab went to Geshur to get Absalom. But when they came back to Jerusalem,
24. David told Joab, “I don't want to see my son Absalom. Tell him to stay away from me.” So Absalom went to his own house without seeing his father.
25. No one in all Israel was as handsome and well-built as Absalom.
26. He got his hair cut once a year, and when the hair was weighed, it came to over two kilogrammes.
27. Absalom had three sons. He also had a daughter named Tamar, who grew up to be very beautiful.
28. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing his father.
29. He wanted Joab to talk to David for him. So one day he sent a message asking Joab to come over, but Joab refused. Absalom sent another message, but Joab still refused.